La Mesa · Zoning · R2
La Mesa R2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In La Mesa's R2 zone, generally buildings can be up to 20 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 6,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (La Mesa code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 20 ft
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (20 feet for a garage if a driveway shorter than 20 feet would result)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft per story plus 4 ft for walls exceeding 100 ft length
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft per story plus 4 ft for walls exceeding 100 ft length
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft
R2 is a zoning district in La Mesa. Every value below was read from the La Mesa Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.
Development standards in R2
The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.
| Maximum building height | 20 ft § 24.05.030 · code textTable row “***Structure Height”, column “R2”: 20′ |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: 20 feet for a garage if a driveway shorter than 20 feet would result § 24.05.030 · code textTable row “Front Setback”, column “R2”: 15′* |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft per story plus 4 ft for walls exceeding 100 ft length § 24.05.030 · code textTable row “**Side Setback”, column “R2”: (5′ per story plus 4′ for walls exceeding 100′ length) |
| Minimum rear setback | 5 ft per story plus 4 ft for walls exceeding 100 ft length § 24.05.030 · code textTable row “**Rear Setback”, column “R2”: (5′ per story plus 4′ for walls exceeding 100′ length) |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 sq ft § 24.05.030 · code textTable row “Area (in sq. ft.)”, column “R2”: 6,000 |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R2:
- Maximum building height: 15 ft — Building site with average natural slope of 25% or more, sloping upward from the street § 24.05.030
- Maximum building height: 15 ft — Building site with average natural slope of 25% or more, sloping downward from the street § 24.05.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for R2 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the La Mesa Municipal Code.
Other La Mesa zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in La Mesa's R2 zone?
20 ft — La Mesa Municipal Code § 24.05.030.
What is the minimum front setback in La Mesa's R2 zone?
15 ft (20 feet for a garage if a driveway shorter than 20 feet would result) — La Mesa Municipal Code § 24.05.030.
What is the minimum side setback in La Mesa's R2 zone?
5 ft per story plus 4 ft for walls exceeding 100 ft length — La Mesa Municipal Code § 24.05.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in La Mesa's R2 zone?
5 ft per story plus 4 ft for walls exceeding 100 ft length — La Mesa Municipal Code § 24.05.030.
What is the minimum lot size in La Mesa's R2 zone?
6,000 sq ft — La Mesa Municipal Code § 24.05.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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